Biological pollinization system

ABSTRACT

A system including means for encapsulating a plant in a closed environment; means for injecting pollen into said closed environment; means for expanding a space covered by said closed environment; means for filtering contaminants from entering said closed environment; means for attaching said closed environment to a plant appendage or plant container; means for holding or diffusing pollen inside said closed environment; and means for maximizing an amount light penetrating within said closed environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF SEQUENCE LISTING PROVIDED AS A TEXT FILE

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FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. Thecopyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or patent disclosure for the purposes ofreferencing as patent prior art, as it appears in the Patent andTrademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to plant coverapparatus. More particularly, certain embodiments of the inventionrelate to plant pollination systems.

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as toadditional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limitingthe present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated orimplied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background,another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is thatplant species may be bred for commercial purposes. For example, in somecommercial applications plant species may be bred to form hybrid plantspecies. In some applications, hybrid plants may be bred to exhibitvarious desirable traits. Such traits may include, improved yieldcharacteristics, improved agronomic quality, resistance to heat anddrought, and resistance to disease and insect damage. Typically, plantsmay be capable of self-pollination, cross-pollination, or both.Self-pollination may include pollination using pollen from one flowerthat is transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant.Cross-pollination may include pollination using pollen delivered from aflower of a different plant from a different family, line, or species.

In commercial growing of trees or fruits such as pears, apples, etc.,better tree or fruit set may be obtained by cross pollination. Pollenmay be extracted from certain varieties of fruit trees and used topollinate the buds of other trees by being released or dispensed in thevicinity thereof. Since pollen is expensive, it may be desirable torelease pollen in a manner which provides the most efficient utilizationin terms of both the amount and uniformity of the released pollen whichmay be ultimately effective. Prior pollen dispensing techniques includereleasing pollen from low-flying aircraft, beehive inserts, firing fromshotgun shells, etc. None of these prior means is entirely satisfactorysince the operator cannot observe precisely where the dispensed pollenis going, and cannot control the amount of pollen dispensed in any givenlocation.

Typical pollination processes may involve protecting plants fromunwanted airborne pollen by covering it at an early stage. After theplant has reached a sufficient level of development, the plant cover maybe removed and pollinates the plant with pollen from another carefullyselected plant. A standard cover in the industry may be constructed witha sheet of white paper to form a thin flat tube, then folding one endover so that the tube may be closed. The standard design may bevulnerable to high winds which tend to blow it off the plant. Care mustbe taken in placing and checking the standard cover since it may notexpand easily to allow for the growth of the plant shoot. It is notuncommon for the standard cover to burst open if the shoot becomes toolarge, rendering the plant useless for the purpose of hybridization. Toremedy this, plant covers may be watched when ready to burst and toloosen them by sliding them upward to a certain degree. This proceduremay be time consuming and may require careful observation.

With standard paper cover, it may be difficult to determine if the plantis ready for hybridization since the standard paper cover device may notpermit observation of the shoot within. Therefore, it may be necessaryto exposing one or more plants by removing their covers to observe thestage of development. Once the cover is removed, airborne pollen fromunwanted sources may enter and the plant may be rendered unusable.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary biological pollinization system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an exemplary pollinization head piece, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary biological pollinization system,where FIG. 3A shows the exemplary biological pollinization system whilecompressed and FIG. 3B shows the exemplary biological pollinizationsystem while expanded, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary biological pollinization system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary biological pollinization system witharms, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Withreference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 , arms 505-520 provide support tobiological;

FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate different levels of elongation of an exemplarybiological pollinization system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7A-7C illustrate the arm movement that may occur during theelongation of an exemplary biological pollinization system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary biological pollinization systemencapsulating an exemplary pollinating plant, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-C illustrate the outward leg movement of an exemplarybiological pollinization system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate exemplary feet of a biological pollinizationsystem, wherein FIG. 10A shows the interlocking of the exemplary feetand FIG. 10B shows an exemplary foot, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate the outward leg movement of an exemplarybiological pollinization system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate an exemplary biological pollinization systemplaced over a plant in a base, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate exemplary bases to be used with an exemplarybiological pollinization system, wherein FIGS. 13A-13B show exemplarybases and FIGS. 13C-13D show the exemplary bases attached to theexemplary biological pollinization system, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 14A-14E illustrate an exemplary biological pollinization system inuse, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 15A-15B illustrate exemplary pollen delivery devices, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary pollen ball, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary reflector, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 18A-18E illustrate alternative variations of an exemplarybiological pollinization system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are modifications and variations of theinvention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within thescope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as pluraland vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure and claimsshould be construed to mean “approximate,” rather than “perfect,” andmay accordingly be employed as a meaningful modifier to any other word,specified parameter, quantity, quality, or concept. Words ofapproximation, include, yet are not limited to terms such as“substantial”, “nearly”, “almost”, “about”, “generally”, “largely”,“essentially”, “closely approximate”, etc.

As will be established in some detail below, it is well settled law, asearly as 1939, that words of approximation are not indefinite in theclaims even when such limits are not defined or specified in thespecification.

For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App.1941) where the court said “The examiner has held that most of theclaims are inaccurate because apparently the laminar film will not beentirely eliminated. The claims specify that the film is “substantially”eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slightportion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view,therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate.”

Note that claims need only “reasonably apprise those skilled in the art”as to their scope to satisfy the definiteness requirement. See EnergyAbsorption Sys., Inc. v. Roadway Safety Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264,slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. Jul. 3, 1997) (unpublished) Hybridtech v.Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ 81, 94 (Fed.Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition, the use ofmodifiers in the claim, like “generally” and “substantial,” does not byitself render the claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. IndustrialCrating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568, 575-76(Fed. Cir. 1984).

Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like“substantially” includes “reasonably close to: nearly, almost, about”,connoting a term of approximation. See In re Frye, Appeal No.2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747 (B.P.A.I. 2010)Depending on its usage, the word “substantially” can denote eitherlanguage of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering PrecisionInstruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314,1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (recognizing the “dual ordinary meaning of th[e]term [”substantially“] as connoting a term of approximation or a term ofmagnitude”). Here, when referring to the “substantially halfway”limitation, the Specification uses the word “approximately” as asubstitute for the word “substantially” (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinarymeaning of “substantially halfway” is thus reasonably close to or nearlyat the midpoint between the forwardmost point of the upper or outsoleand the rearwardmost point of the upper or outsole.

Similarly, the term ‘substantially’ is well recognized in case law tohave the dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of approximation or aterm of magnitude. See Dana Corp. v. American Axle & Manufacturing,Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir.Aug. 27, 2004) (unpublished). The term “substantially” is commonly usedby claim drafters to indicate approximation. See Cordis Corp. v.Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (“The patentsdo not set out any numerical standard by which to determine whether thethickness of the wall surface is ‘substantially uniform.’ The term‘substantially,’ as used in this context, denotes approximation. Thus,the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform thickness.”); seealso Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector Distribution Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003); Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v.Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022, 1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We findthat the term “substantially” was used in just such a manner in theclaims of the patents-in-suit: “substantially uniform wall thickness”denotes a wall thickness with approximate uniformity.

It should also be noted that such words of approximation as contemplatedin the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims such as saying‘generally parallel’ such that the adverb ‘generally’ does not broadenthe meaning of parallel. Accordingly, it is well settled that such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing (e.g., like the phrase‘generally parallel’) envisions some amount of deviation from perfection(e.g., not exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation ascontemplated in the foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used inpatent claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specifiedparameter. To the extent that the plain language of the claims relyingon such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing areclear and uncontradicted by anything in the written description hereinor the figures thereof, it is improper to rely upon the present writtendescription, the figures, or the prosecution history to add limitationsto any of the claim of the present invention with respect to such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing. That is, under suchcircumstances, relying on the written description and prosecutionhistory to reject the ordinary and customary meanings of the wordsthemselves is impermissible. See, for example, Liquid Dynamics Corp. v.Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595, 1600-01 (Fed. Cir. 2004).The plain language of phrase 2 requires a “substantial helical flow.”The term “substantial” is a meaningful modifier implying “approximate,”rather than “perfect.” In Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d1352, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2003), the district court imposed a precisenumeric constraint on the term “substantially uniform thickness.” Wenoted that the proper interpretation of this term was “of largely orapproximately uniform thickness” unless something in the prosecutionhistory imposed the “clear and unmistakable disclaimer” needed fornarrowing beyond this simple-language interpretation. Id. In Anchor WallSystems v. Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc., 340 F.3d 1298, 1311 (Fed.Cir. 2003” Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain language of Claim 1requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that returnsprecisely to the center after one rotation (a limitation that arisesonly as a logical consequence of requiring a perfectly helical flow).

The reader should appreciate that case law generally recognizes a dualordinary meaning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in theforegoing, as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude;e.g., see Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 68 USPQ2d 1716, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2003), cert.denied, 124 S. Ct. 1426 (2004) where the court was asked to construe themeaning of the term “substantially” in a patent claim. Also see Epcon,279 F.3d at 1031 (“The phrase ‘substantially constant’ denotes languageof approximation, while the phrase ‘substantially below’ signifieslanguage of magnitude, i.e., not insubstantial.”). Also, see, e.g.,Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022 (Fed.Cir. 2002) (construing the terms “substantially constant” and“substantially below”); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus.,Inc., 206 F.3d 1408 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term “substantiallyinward”); York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially the entireheight thereof”); Tex. Instruments Inc. v. Cypress Semiconductor Corp.,90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially in thecommon plane”). In conducting their analysis, the court instructed tobegin with the ordinary meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Prima Tek, 318 F.3d at 1148. Reference to dictionariesand our cases indicates that the term “substantially” has numerousordinary meanings. As the district court stated, “substantially” canmean “significantly” or “considerably.” The term “substantially” canalso mean “largely” or “essentially.” Webster's New 20th CenturyDictionary 1817 (1983).

Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, may also beused in phrases establishing approximate ranges or limits, where the endpoints are inclusive and approximate, not perfect; e.g., see AK SteelCorp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 68 USPQ2dl 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003)where it where the court said [W]e conclude that the ordinary meaning ofthe phrase “up to about 10%” includes the “about 10%” endpoint. Aspointed out by AK Steel, when an object of the preposition “up to” isnonnumeric, the most natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g.,painting the wall up to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out bySollac, when the object is a numerical limit, the normal meaning is toinclude that upper numerical limit (e.g., counting up to ten, seatingcapacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a numericallimit—“about 10%”—the ordinary meaning is that that endpoint isincluded.

In the present specification and claims, a goal of employment of suchwords of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, is to avoid astrict numerical boundary to the modified specified parameter, assanctioned by Pall Corp. v. Micron Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211,1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995) where it states “It is wellestablished that when the term “substantially” serves reasonably todescribe the subject matter so that its scope would be understood bypersons in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimedsubject matter from the prior art, it is not indefinite.” Likewise seeVerve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116, 65 USPQ2d 1051, 1054 (Fed.Cir. 2002). Expressions such as “substantially” are used in patentdocuments when warranted by the nature of the invention, in order toaccommodate the minor variations that may be appropriate to secure theinvention. Such usage may well satisfy the charge to “particularly pointout and distinctly claim” the invention, 35 U.S.C. § 112, and indeed maybe necessary in order to provide the inventor with the benefit of hisinvention. In Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22,6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usagessuch as “substantially equal” and “closely approximate” may serve todescribe the invention with precision appropriate to the technology andwithout intruding on the prior art. The court again explained in EcolabInc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179(Fed. Cir. 2001) that “like the term ‘about,’ the term ‘substantially’is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to ‘avoid a strictnumerical boundary to the specified parameter, see Ecolab Inc. v.Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001)where the court found that the use of the term “substantially” to modifythe term “uniform” does not render this phrase so unclear such thatthere is no means by which to ascertain the claim scope.

Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term “about,” the term“substantially” is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to“avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter.”; e.g.,see Pall Corp. v. Micron Seps., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229(Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g., Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (noting thatterms such as “approach each other,” “close to,” “substantially equal,”and “closely approximate” are ubiquitously used in patent claims andthat such usages, when serving reasonably to describe the claimedsubject matter to those of skill in the field of the invention, and todistinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, have beenaccepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In this case,“substantially” avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity boundary.

Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of approximation, ascontemplated in the foregoing, has been established as early as 1939,see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where,for example, the court said “the claims specify that the film is“substantially” eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believedthat the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. Weare of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded assufficiently accurate.” Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42USPQ 90, 93 (C.C.P.A. 1939) the court said, “It is realized that“substantial distance” is a relative and somewhat indefinite term, orphrase, but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon inpatents in cases where, according to the art involved, the meaning canbe determined with reasonable clearness.”

Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicants submit that it isimproper for any examiner to hold as indefinite any claims of thepresent patent that employ any words of approximation.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will be described in detail below with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

References to a “device,” an “apparatus,” a “system,” etc., in thepreamble of a claim should be construed broadly to mean “any structuremeeting the claim terms” exempt for any specific structure(s)/type(s)that has/(have) been explicitly disavowed or excluded oradmitted/implied as prior art in the present specification or incapableof enabling an object/aspect/goal of the invention. Furthermore, wherethe present specification discloses an object, aspect, function, goal,result, or advantage of the invention that a specific prior artstructure and/or method step is similarly capable of performing yet in avery different way, the present invention disclosure is intended to andshall also implicitly include and cover additional correspondingalternative embodiments that are otherwise identical to that explicitlydisclosed except that they exclude such prior art structure(s)/step(s),and shall accordingly be deemed as providing sufficient disclosure tosupport a corresponding negative limitation in a claim claiming suchalternative embodiment(s), which exclude such very different prior artstructure(s)/step(s) way(s).

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “embodiments of theinvention,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the inventionso described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every possible embodiment of the inventionnecessarily includes the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,”or “in an exemplary embodiment,” “an embodiment,” do not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use ofphrases like “embodiments” in connection with “the invention” are nevermeant to characterize that all embodiments of the invention must includethe particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and should insteadbe understood to mean “at least some embodiments of the invention”include the stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

References to “user”, or any similar term, as used herein, may mean ahuman or non-human user thereof. Moreover, “user”, or any similar term,as used herein, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplatedto mean users at any stage of the usage process, to include, withoutlimitation, direct user(s), intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), andend user(s). The meaning of “user”, or any similar term, as used herein,should not be otherwise inferred, or induced by any pattern(s) ofdescription, embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (ormay not) be provided in the present patent.

References to “end user”, or any similar term, as used herein, isgenerally intended to mean late-stage user(s) as opposed to early-stageuser(s). Hence, it is contemplated that there may be a multiplicity ofdifferent types of “end user” near the end stage of the usage process.Where applicable, especially with respect to distribution channels ofembodiments of the invention comprising consumed retailproducts/services thereof (as opposed to sellers/vendors or OriginalEquipment Manufacturers), examples of an “end user” may include, withoutlimitation, a “consumer”, “buyer”, “customer”, “purchaser”, “shopper”,“enjoyer”, “viewer”, or individual person or non-human thing benefitingin any way, directly or indirectly, from use of. or interaction, withsome aspect of the present invention.

In some situations, some embodiments of the present invention mayprovide beneficial usage to more than one stage or type of usage in theforegoing usage process. In such cases where multiple embodimentstargeting various stages of the usage process are described, referencesto “end user”, or any similar term, as used therein, are generallyintended to not include the user that is the furthest removed, in theforegoing usage process, from the final user therein of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Where applicable, especially with respect to retail distributionchannels of embodiments of the invention, intermediate user(s) mayinclude, without limitation, any individual person or non-human thingbenefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of, orinteraction with, some aspect of the present invention with respect toselling, vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing, marketing,merchandising, distributing, service providing, and the like thereof.

References to “person”, “individual”, “human”, “a party”, “animal”,“creature”, or any similar term, as used herein, even if the context orparticular embodiment implies living user, maker, or participant, itshould be understood that such characterizations are sole by way ofexample, and not limitation, in that it is contemplated that any suchusage, making, or participation by a living entity in connection withmaking, using, and/or participating, in any way, with embodiments of thepresent invention may be substituted by such similar performed by asuitably configured non-living entity, to include, without limitation,automated machines, robots, humanoids, computational systems,information processing systems, artificially intelligent systems, andthe like. It is further contemplated that those skilled in the art willreadily recognize the practical situations where such living makers,users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention maybe in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, users,and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Likewise,when those skilled in the art identify such practical situations wheresuch living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of thepresent invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with suchnon-living makers, it will be readily apparent in light of the teachingsof the present invention how to adapt the described embodiments to besuitable for such non-living makers, users, and/or participants withembodiments of the present invention. Thus, the invention is thus toalso cover all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of such adaptations and modifications, atleast in part, for such non-living entities.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names are for example only and not meant to imply anylimitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented withdifferent nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe themechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given itsbroadest interpretation given the context in which that term isutilized.

Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or contextfor terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):

“Comprising” And “contain” and variations of them—Such terms areopen-ended and mean “including but not limited to”. When employed in theappended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure orsteps. Consider a claim that recites: “A memory controller comprising asystem cache . . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the memorycontroller from including additional components (e.g., a memory channelunit, a switch).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” or “operable for” is used to connote structureby indicating that the mechanisms/units/circuits/components includestructure (e.g., circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task ortasks during operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/componentcan be said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) thetask even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is notcurrently operational (e.g., is not on). Themechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” or“operable for” language include hardware--for example, mechanisms,structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program instructionsexecutable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that amechanism/unit/circuit/component is “configured to” or “operable for”perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C . . . sctn. 112, sixth paragraph, for thatmechanism/unit/circuit/component. “Configured to” may also includeadapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components thatare adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such aphrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being basedon C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

All terms of exemplary language (e.g., including, without limitation,“such as”, “like”, “for example”, “for instance”, “similar to”, etc.)are not exclusive of any other, potentially, unrelated, types ofexamples; thus, implicitly mean “by way of example, and not limitation .. . ”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions,concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the following specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upona specific analytical technique.

The term “comprising,” which is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by” is inclusive or open-ended and doesnot exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising”is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named claimelements are essential, but other claim elements may be added and stillform a construct within the scope of the claim.

As used herein, the phase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” (orvariations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, ratherthan immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element setforth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim asa whole. As used herein, the phase “consisting essentially of” and“consisting of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements ormethod steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis andnovel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter (see Norian Corp.v Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, Fed. Cir.2004). Moreover, for any claim of the present invention which claims anembodiment “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” a certain setof elements of any herein described embodiment it shall be understood asobvious by those skilled in the art that the present invention alsocovers all possible varying scope variants of any describedembodiment(s) that are each exclusively (i.e., “consisting essentiallyof”) functional subsets or functional combination thereof such that eachof these plurality of exclusive varying scope variants each consistsessentially of any functional subset(s) and/or functional combination(s)of any set of elements of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusionof any others not set forth therein. That is, it is contemplated that itwill be obvious to those skilled how to create a multiplicity ofalternate embodiments of the present invention that simply consistingessentially of a certain functional combination of elements of anydescribed embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set forththerein, and the invention thus covers all such exclusive embodiments asif they were each described herein.

With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consistingessentially of,” where one of these three terms is used herein, thedisclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use of either ofthe other two terms. Thus, in some embodiments not otherwise explicitlyrecited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by “consisting of”or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of”, and thus, for thepurposes of claim support and construction for “consisting of” formatclaims, such replacements operate to create yet other alternativeembodiments “consisting essentially of” only the elements recited in theoriginal “comprising” embodiment to the exclusion of all other elements.

Moreover, any claim limitation phrased in functional limitation termscovered by 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) which has a preambleinvoking the closed terms “consisting of,” or “consisting essentiallyof,” should be understood to mean that the corresponding structure(s)disclosed herein define the exact metes and bounds of what the soclaimed invention embodiment(s) consists of, or consisting essentiallyof, to the exclusion of any other elements which do not materiallyaffect the intended purpose of the so claimed embodiment(s).

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.Moreover, it is understood that any system components described or namedin any embodiment or claimed herein may be grouped or sub-grouped (andaccordingly implicitly renamed) in any combination or sub-combination asthose skilled in the art can imagine as suitable for the particularapplication, and still be within the scope and spirit of the claimedembodiments of the present invention. For an example of what this means,if the invention was a controller of a motor and a valve and theembodiments and claims articulated those components as being separatelygrouped and connected, applying the foregoing would mean that such aninvention and claims would also implicitly cover the valve being groupedinside the motor and the controller being a remote controller with nodirect physical connection to the motor or internalized valve, as suchthe claimed invention is contemplated to cover all ways of groupingand/or adding of intermediate components or systems that stillsubstantially achieve the intended result of the invention.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components is described to illustratethe wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

In the following description and claims, the terms “coupled” and“connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should beunderstood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other.Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicatethat two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contactwith each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are indirect physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also meanthat two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, butyet still cooperate or interact with each other.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions orparticular construction materials indicated herein are solely providedas examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to belimiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particularapplication, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in lightof the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternativeimplementation details.

Some embodiments of the present invention and variations thereof, relateto biological pollination systems. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the system may encapsulate a plant in a closed environment.Attaching using the feet of the system, to a container or to theappendage of a plant. The pollination system may expand while the plantis growing, providing ample space for the enclosed environment toflourish. The system may allow for the injection of pollen into theenvironment by use of a device. Filters may provide a means for theinternal as well as the external environment to be contaminate free. Atemperature/humidity/hygrometer gauge may align the inside of the systemwhich may provide for adequate calculations. For the optimal growth ofthe environment within, a reflector may be housed around the system.

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary biological pollinization system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Biologicalpollinization system 100 may comprise handle implement 105,pollinization tunnel constituent 110, pollen intake component 115, meshfilter element 120, pollen ball implement 125, expandable outer materialcomponent 130, temperature and humidity measurement device 135, guardimplement 140, arm portion 145, bendable material component 150, coiltool 155, leg portion 160, feet portion 165 and tightening apparatus170. Expandable outer material component 130 may include an accordionshape structure that may encapsulate a plant in a closed environmentwhere the accordion shape structure provides the expandable closedenvironment. Temperature and humidity measurement device 135 may beattached to either the exterior or interior of outer material component130, and may be used to monitor the temperature and humidity insidebiological pollinization system 100. As will be appreciated by oneskilled in the art, temperature, and humidity measurement device 135 maybe implemented by any combination of apparatuses known in the art, suchas, but not limited to, thermometers, hygrometers, temperature gauge,etc. Guard implement 140 may be implemented to hold bendable materialcomponent 150 in place. Guard implements may allow for the system to beraised or lowered along different intervals. The remaining embodimentswill be described in more detail in the following figures.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an exemplary pollinization head piece, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Now referring toboth FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, pollinization head piece 200 may include handle105, which may be used to transport and elongate biologicalpollinization system 100. Pollen may be inserted into biologicalpollinization system 100 via pollen intake component 115. While pollenintake component 115 is not in use, stopper constituent 210, which maybe attached to pollen intake component 115, may be inserted into pollenintake component 115 to create an airtight seal, and preventcontaminants from entering biological pollinization system 200. To allowair to flow in and out of biological pollinization system 100, sectionsof pollinization head piece may be comprised of mesh filter element 120,at the same time may be used to keep contaminants and unwanted pollenout of biological pollinization system 100. Mesh filter element 120 mayinclude woven metal wire or plastic strands which may stop particlesthat are too large from passing through openings in the mesh which allowair to flow in and out of biological pollinization system 100. FIG. 2Billustrates an internal view of pollinization head piece 200. Nowreferring to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2B, after pollen enters the system viapollen intake component 115, pollen may enter pollinization tunnel 110and be distributed throughout biological pollinization system 100 viapollen ball implement 125. To ensure that contaminants do not enterbiological pollinization system 100, disinfecting guards 205 may linepollinization tunnel 110, and may be used to clean the nose or tip ofpollen delivery devices to be used with the system.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary biological pollinization system,where FIG. 3A shows the exemplary biological pollinization system whilecompressed and FIG. 3B shows the exemplary biological pollinizationsystem while expanded, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Biological pollinization system 100 may be used during theentire lifetime of a plant, and may elongate to accommodate for plantgrowth. With reference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 3A, biologicalpollinization system 100 may be compressed during the early stages ofplant growth or when encompassing a shorter plant. In this case, outermaterial component 130 may be compacted, bringing the upper portion ofbiological pollinization system 100 closer to the plant itself andtaking up less space. With reference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 3B,biological pollinization system 100 may also be elongated during thelater stages of plant growth or when encompassing a taller plant. Inthis case, outer material component 130 may be elongated to provide moreroom for the plant as needed.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary biological pollinization system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. With referenceto both FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 , outer material component 130 may be used tocontain pollen within biological pollinization system 100 while keepingout contaminants. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art,adjustable outer material component 130 may be made of variousmaterials, such as, without limitation, kraft paper, canvas, glassine,plastic, polyester, micro-mesh, Polyethylene, Polyvinyl Chloride,Rubber, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Thermoplastic, Cotton Fiber Bags,Thermosetting Plastics, etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary biological pollinization system witharms, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Withreference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 , arms 505-520 provide support tobiological pollinization system 100 by acting as the foundation for theexpansion of the system. Guard implements 140 are attached to arms505-520, and bendable material components 150 rest inside guardimplements 140. While four arms are depicted, it will be appreciated byone skilled in the art that greater or fewer arms may be used to providesupport for biological pollinization system 100.

FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate different levels of elongation of an exemplarybiological pollinization system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Biological pollinization system 100 may be expandedto different levels of elongation, elevation, and/or expansion while theplant grows and to accommodate for different sizes of plants. FIG. 6Adepicts biological pollinization system 100 in stable form while fullycompressed. In many cases, biological pollinization system 100 may beginin this stage while the plant is at its shortest height and may provideadequate space for the plant to grow. FIGS. 6B-6F demonstrate elongationlevels 1-5, respectively, and show the different stages of biologicalpollinization system 100. Finally, FIG. 6G depicts biologicalpollinization system 100 at elongation level 6, while it is fullyexpanded. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, although 6elongation levels are depicted, fewer or greater elongation levels maybe used with biological pollinization system 100.

FIG. 7A-7C illustrate the arm movement that may occur during theelongation of an exemplary biological pollinization system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. While biologicalpollinization system 100 elongates to different levels, bendablematerial 150 may assist in elongation or compression of the system asbendable material 150 may move according to the different elongationlevels. With reference to both FIG. 7A and FIG. 1 , bendable material150 is in elongation level 1 and is caught stably between a first guard705 and a second guard 710. Guards 705 and 710 hold bendable material150 in place, and may enable the system to be raised or lowered alongdifferent intervals. With reference to both FIG. 7B and FIG. 1 ,biological pollinization system 100 is now being transitioned fromelongation level 1 to elongation level 2. To do so, the user must simplypull up on handle 105 (not shown), causing bendable material 150 to pushup against second guard 710 and start to slide past second guard 710.With reference to both FIG. 7C and FIG. 1 , after bendable material 150slides past second guard 710, it may be caught in-between second guard710 and third guard 715. Bendable material 150 is now securely in place,and biological pollinization system 100 has successfully beentransitioned into elongation level 2. A similar process may be used totransition biological pollinization system 100 between any of theadjacent levels.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary biological pollinization systemencapsulating an exemplary pollinating plant, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. While fully expanded, biologicalpollinization system 100 may encapsulate pollinating plant 805,providing an adequate environment for pollinization.

FIGS. 9A-C illustrate the outward leg movement of an exemplarybiological pollinization system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. With reference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 9A, armportion 145 and leg portion 160 provide support for biologicalpollinization system 100, and may comprise any material known in theart, such as, but not limited to, aluminum, wood, plastic, copper, etc.Coil tool 155 is attached to both arm portion 145 and leg portion 160,and provides tension while leg 160 moves towards a vertical orientationwith respect to arm 145, as will be described below. Foot portion 165may be attached opposite arm portion 145 on leg portion 160, and servesas an attachment point at the base of biological pollinization system100. Foot portion 165 may be composed of a hollow material, in whichtightening apparatus 170 resides. Tightening apparatus 170 may be madeof a coil which severely contracts and or tightens after expansion. Thecoil which lay inside the feet of the system is meant to expand andconform back into its original shape thus tightening around container orappendage of plant. In the preferred embodiment, there may be four feetto provide stability to the overall system but, as will be appreciatedby one skilled in the art, greater or fewer feet is still consideredwithin the scope of the invention. Leg portion 160 may move about thejoint in-between leg portion 160 and arm portion 145 towards a verticalposition, allowing the base of biological pollinization system 100 toexpand outward and provide an opening in which a plant may enter. Withreference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 9B, leg portion 160 may move into amore vertical position while it expands outward, straightening coil 155to accommodate. With reference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 9C, leg portion160 may move into an even more vertical position, further straighteningcoil 155 to accommodate for the range of movement.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate exemplary feet of a biological pollinizationsystem, wherein FIG. 10A shows the interlocking of the exemplary feetand FIG. 10B shows an exemplary foot, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. With reference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 10A,feet portion 165 may be interlocked with each other via tighteningapparatus 170, creating an airtight seal at the base of a plantencapsulated by biological pollinization system 100. With reference toFIG. 1 and FIG. 10B, the internal structure of feet portion 165 may beseen. As shown, feet portion 165 may be hollow and may containtightening apparatus 170 internally.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate the outward leg movement of an exemplarybiological pollinization system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 11A, legs 160 maybe in an almost horizontal position while biological pollinizationsystem 100 is in a stable form, with feet portion 165 in a closedposition. Typically, biological pollinization system 100 may be instable form while it encompasses a plant or during transport. Withreference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 11B, legs 160 may be in an almost verticalposition while biological pollinization system 100 is in an unstableform, with feet portion 165 in an open position. Typically, biologicalpollinization system 100 may be in unstable form when biologicalpollinization system 100 is to be placed over a plant, or whilebiological pollinization system 100 is attached to a base, as will bedescribed in greater detail below.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate an exemplary biological pollinization systemplaced over a plant in a base, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 12A, biologicalpollinization system 100 may be expanded horizontally with feet portion165 apart from each other as to accommodate for plant 1205 and circularbase 1210. With reference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 12B, feet portion 165may fit into mounting holes 1215 of circular base appliance 1210,creating an airtight seal with circular base 1210, fully encapsulatingplant 1205.

FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate exemplary base appliances to be used with anexemplary biological pollinization system, wherein FIGS. 13A-13B showexemplary base appliances and FIGS. 13C-13D show the exemplary baseappliances attached to the exemplary biological pollinization system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. With referenceto FIGS. 12A-12B and FIGS. 13A-13B, in the preferred embodiment, basesmay be of several different shapes, such as, but not limited to,circular as shown by circular base appliance 1210 or rectangular, suchas rectangular base appliance 1305. As will be appreciated by oneskilled in the art, bases are not limited to these two shapes, and maytake up any shape, such as, but not limited to, octagonal,square-shaped, triangular, etc. Regardless of the shape, basespreferably comprise mounting holes 1215, side drainage holes 1315, andbottom drainage holes 1320. Mounting holes 1215 may provide an airtightseal and mounting points for biological pollinization system 100.Although mounting holes 1215 are depicted as rectangular, they may be ofany shape, such as, but not limited to, circular, square-shaped, etc.Side drainage holes 1315 and bottom drainage holes 1320 act as adrainage for the release of waste from the system. It should beappreciated by one skilled in the art that, although four side drainageholes 1315 and four bottom drainage holes 1320 are depicted, fewer orgreater of each type of drainage hole are still within the scope of theinvention. With reference to FIGS. 13A-13D, biological pollinizationsystem 100 may be adapted to fit securely on both base types, as shownin FIG. 13C with biological pollinization system 100 secured torectangular base 1305, and as shown in FIG. 13D, with biologicalpollinization system 100 secured to circular base 1210.

FIGS. 14A-14E illustrate an exemplary biological pollinization system inuse, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Withreference to FIG. 1 , FIG. 13A, and FIGS. 14A-14E, Initially, biologicalpollinization system 100 is secured to rectangular base 1305, whichcontains vegetative plant 1405. Vegetative plant 1405 may comprise aplant that has not yet bloomed to flower. Note that biologicalpollinization system 100 is in stable form, with adjustable outermaterial component 130 compressed, as vegetative plant 1405 does not yetrequire the additional height that may be provided by elongatingbiological pollinization system 100. As vegetative plant 1405 continuesto grow, it may require more room, and as such, biological pollinizationsystem 100 may be elongated to accommodate for this growth, as shown inFIG. 14B. As vegetative plant continues to grow, it may be desirable tosecure biological pollinization system 100 onto pollinating section1410, preventing undesirable cross pollinization from occurring andproviding for a controlled environment for growth, as shown in FIG. 14C.As vegetative plant further continues to grow, biological pollinizationsystem 100 may be expanded to accommodate for this growth by elongatingmaterial component 130. Further, pollen may be injected into biologicalpollinization system 100 via pollen intake 115 using a pollen deliverydevice 1415, such as, but not limited to, aerosol can 1505 or squeezepump 1510 (see FIG. 15B), as shown in FIG. 14D, to produce a pollinatingplant 1420. Pollinating plant 1420 may comprise vegetative plant 1405that has received pollen. Finally, seeds 1425 may be produced bypollinating plant 1420 as a result of careful pollinization practices,as shown in FIG. 14E.

FIGS. 15A-15B illustrate exemplary pollen delivery devices, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. With referenceto FIG. 14D and FIG. 15A, aerosol can 1505 may be used to inject polleninto biological pollinization system 100. With reference to FIG. 15B,squeeze pump 1510 may additionally be used to inject pollen intobiological pollinization system 100. As will be appreciated by oneskilled in the art, any pollen delivery system 1415 may be used withbiological pollinization system 100, such as, but not limited to,aerosol cans, spray pumps, syringes, etc.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary pollen ball, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. With reference to both FIG. 1 andFIG. 16 , pollen ball 125 may be used to diffuse pollen into biologicalpollinization system 100. Pollen ball 125 may comprise pollen deliverytube 1605, pollen ball tip 1610, and pollen holes 1615. As pollen isinjected into biological pollinization system 100, pollen may traveldown pollen delivery tube 1605 to pollen ball tip 1610 and diffusedthroughout biological pollinization system 100 via pollen holes 1615.Pollen ball may be composed of any material such as, but not limited to,plastic, rubber, glass, etc.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary reflector in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Reflector 1700 may be used toincrease the amount of light that enters biological pollinization system100. Reflector 1700 may comprise circular mount 1705 and reflectivematerial 1710. Circular mount 1705 may be adapted to fit over biologicalpollinization system 100, and may secure reflector 1700 in place.Additionally, reflective material 1710 may reflect additional light intobiological pollinization system 100. Reflective material may be composedof any material that reflects light, such as, but not limited to, glassmirror, acrylic mirror, aluminum foil, polished anodized aluminum, etc.

FIGS. 18A-18E illustrate alternative variations of an exemplarybiological pollinization system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Biological pollinization system 100 may be adapted todifferent shapes and sizes depending on the needs of the user and thesize of the plant it will encompass. With reference to FIGS. 18A-18E,for example, without limitation, biological pollinization system 100 maybe conical, as in FIG. 18A, rectangular, as in FIG. 18B, spherical, asin FIG. 18C, pyramid-topped, as in FIG. 18D, or tear-shaped, as in FIG.18E. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, biologicalpollinization system 100 may take on many shapes and sizes, and is notlimited to the forms depicted in FIGS. 18A-18E.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of theforegoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed andadditional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of theparticular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of theforegoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/orhardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know issuitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method stepsdescribed in the present application that can be carried out on acomputing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriatelyconfigured or designed, serve as a computer system in which thoseaspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention isnot limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC § 112(1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC § 112(6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC § 112(6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for” or“steps for” claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) functional limitation would have to beconducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policyfor broadest interpretation of “mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTOwill have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents includingdisclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to actas corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in thebelow claims that are interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA112(f)) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any inventionelement(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s),in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)),which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documentsfound during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate allsuch functionally corresponding structures and related enabling materialherein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structuresthat implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s)that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/orexamination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporateonly the portions of each of these documents discovered during thebroadest interpretation search of 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f))limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patentdocuments found during the course of normal USPTO searching and orsupplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporateby reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all suchdocuments comprising functionally corresponding structures and relatedenabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise anyinformation disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patentapplication by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^(rd) parties.Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the presentapplication to explicitly include citations to such documents and/orexplicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which wereincorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)), which is/are notexplicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s)have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include theotherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portionsof such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated bysuch reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirementsof 35 USC § 112(6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documentsabove which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC § 112(6)necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of theinstant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporatedby reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing plantpollination systems according to the present invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have beendescribed above by way of illustration, and the specific embodimentsdisclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed. The particular implementation of the plant pollinationsystems may vary depending upon the particular context or application.By way of example, and not limitation, the plant pollination systemsdescribed in the foregoing were principally directed to a system thatencapsulates a plant in a closed environment in order to pollinate aplant implementations; however, similar techniques may instead beapplied to, which implementations of the present invention arecontemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The inventionis thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to befurther understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in theforegoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of theobjects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoingspecification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. That is, the Abstract is providedmerely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key oressential features of the claimed subject matter. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret thescope or meaning of the claims.

The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detaileddescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

Only those claims which employ the words “means for” or “steps for” areto be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph (pre-AIA) or 35 USC112(f) post-AIA. Otherwise, no limitations from the specification are tobe read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly includedin the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: means for encapsulating aplant in a closed environment; means for injecting pollen into saidclosed environment; means for expanding a space covered by said closedenvironment; means for filtering contaminants from entering said closedenvironment; means for attaching said closed environment to a plantappendage or plant container; means for holding or diffusing polleninside said closed environment; and means for maximizing an amount lightpenetrating within said closed environment.
 2. A system comprising: anexpandable outer material component, said expandable outer materialcomponent being configured to encapsulate a plant in a closedenvironment, wherein said expandable outer material component is furtherconfigured to be compacted to save space while not in use, expanded toinitially accommodate the plant, and further expanded when adjusting forplant growth; a pollen intake component, said pollen intake componentbeing configured to receive pollen introduced in said closedenvironment; a pollinization tunnel constituent, said pollinizationtunnel constituent being configured to distribute pollen introducedthrough said pollen intake component; a filter element, said filterelement being configured to keep contaminants from entering said closedenvironment; a feet portion, said feet portion being configured toprovide an attachment point at a base of a plant being encapsulated; apollen ball implement, said pollen ball implement being configured todiffuse pollen into said closed environment; and a reflector tool, saidreflector tool being configured to increase an amount of light thatenters said closed environment.
 3. The system of claim 2, furthercomprising a bendable material component, said bendable materialcomponent being configured to provide stability to said closedenvironment at a plurality of elongation, elevation, or expansionlevels.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a guard implement,in which said guard implement comprises a plurality of guards beingconfigured to secure said bendable material component at said differentelongation levels, and in which said plurality of guards including afirst guard and a second guard, wherein at a first elongation level,said bendable material is provided stability between said first guardand said second guard.
 5. The system of claim 2, further comprising ahandle implement, said handle implement being configured to cause saidclosed environment to transition from said first elongation level to asecond elongation level, wherein said bendable material is configured topush up against said second guard and start to slide past second guardfor said closed environment to transition from said first elongationlevel to said second elongation level.
 6. The system of claim 2, furthercomprising an arm portion, said arm portion being configured to providesupport for said closed environment.
 7. The system of claim 2, furthercomprising a leg portion, said leg portion being configured to movetowards a vertical orientation with respect to said arm portion to allowa base of said closed environment to expand outward and provide anopening in which the plant may enter.
 8. The system of claim 2, furthercomprising a coil tool into engagement with said arm portion and legportion, wherein said coil tool is configured to provide tension whilesaid leg portion moves towards a vertical orientation with respect tosaid arm portion.
 9. The system of claim 8, in which said coil toolcomprises a tightening apparatus, wherein said coil tool is furtherconfigured to contract and/or tighten after expansion.
 10. The system ofclaim 2, further comprising a temperature and humidity measurementdevice, said temperature and humidity measurement device beingconfigured to monitor a temperature and/or humidity inside said closedenvironment.
 11. The system of claim 2, further comprising a pluralityof disinfecting guards lining said pollinization tunnel, wherein saidplurality of disinfecting guards is configured to clean a tip of apollen delivery device.
 12. The system of claim 2, further comprising astopper constituent, wherein said stopper constituent is configured tobe inserted into said pollen intake component to create an airtight sealand prevent contaminants from entering said closed environment.
 13. Thesystem of claim 2, further comprising a base appliance, said baseappliance comprises mounting holes that are configured to providemounting points for said closed environment.
 14. The system of claim 13,in which said base appliance further comprises a plurality of sidedrainage holes that are configured to release waste from the system. 15.The system of claim 14, in which said base appliance further comprises aplurality of bottom drainage holes that are configured to release wastefrom the system.
 16. A system comprising: an outer material component,said outer material component comprises an expandable outer materialcomponent, wherein said expandable outer material component isconfigured to be compacted to save space while not in use, expanded toinitially accommodate a plant in a closed environment, and furtherexpanded to adjust for plant growth within said closed environment; apollen intake component, said pollen intake component being configuredto receive pollen introduced in said closed environment; a pollinizationtunnel constituent, said pollinization tunnel constituent beingconfigured to distribute the pollen introduced through said pollenintake component; a filter element, said filter element being configuredto keep contaminants from entering said closed environment; a feetportion, said feet portion being configured to provide an attachmentpoint at a base of a plant being encapsulated; and a pollen ballimplement, said pollen ball implement being configured to diffuse thepollen introduced into said closed environment.
 17. The system of claim16, further comprising: a temperature and humidity measurement device,said temperature and humidity measurement device being configured tomonitor a temperature and/or humidity inside said closed environment; abendable material component, said bendable material component beingconfigured to provide stability to said closed environment at aplurality of elongation, elevation, or expansion levels; a plurality ofdisinfecting guards lining said pollinization tunnel, wherein saidplurality of disinfecting guards is configured to clean a tip of apollen delivery device; and a reflector tool, said reflector tool beingconfigured to increase an amount of light that enters said closedenvironment.
 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a guardimplement, in which said guard implement comprises a plurality of guardsbeing configured to secure said bendable material component at saiddifferent elongation levels, and in which said plurality of guardsincluding a first guard and a second guard, wherein at a firstelongation level, said bendable material is provided stability betweensaid first guard and said second guard.
 19. The system of claim 18,further comprising a handle implement, said handle implement beingconfigured to cause said closed environment to transition from saidfirst elongation level to a second elongation level, wherein saidbendable material is configured to push up against said second guard andstart to slide past second guard for said closed environment totransition from said first elongation level to said second elongationlevel.
 20. The system of claim 19, further comprising: an arm portion,said arm portion being configured to provide support for said closedenvironment; a leg portion, said leg portion being configured to movetowards a vertical orientation with respect to said arm portion to allowa base of said closed environment to expand outward and provide anopening in which the plant may enter; a coil tool into engagement withsaid arm portion and leg portion, wherein said coil tool is configuredto provide tension while said leg portion moves towards a verticalorientation with respect to said arm portion; and in which said coiltool comprises a tightening apparatus, wherein said coil tool is furtherconfigured to contract and/or tighten after expansion.